1alpha-alkoxy-delta**4-3-keto pregnenes,3-enol ether thereof and process for their preparation



United States Patent Ofiice Patented Apr. 14, 1970 US. .Cl. 260239.55 15 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE New 1a-alkoxy-3,11,ZO-triketo-M-pregnenes and 3-alkyl enol ethers thereof are prepared from corresponding Al 3-keto-pregnadienes by concurrent action of an alkanol and an alkyl orthoformate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to new 1a-alkoxy-17a,21-dihydroxy-3,1l,ZO-triketo-A -pregnenes, to their corresponding 3-enol ethers and to a process for the preparation of such compounds from 17u,21-dihydroxy-3,1l,20-triketo-A pregnadienes.

It is known that the 3-ketone in the A -3-keto system possess a very low degree of reactivity, wherefore a protection of such a grouping by direct formation of 3-enol ethers is not possible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that in a well delimited class of A -3-keto-pregnadienes containing an ll-keto group it is possible to obtain a suitable protection and activation of the A -3-keto system by submitting a 3,11,20-triketo- 17u,21-dihydroxy-A -pregnadiene, its esters and/or 20 ketals thereof to the concurrent action of a lower alkyl orthoformate and a lower alkanol at moderate temperature and in the presence of an acid catalyst. According to the different working conditions, a corresponding calkoxy-3,11,20-triketo-17a,2l-dihydroxy-A -pregnene or a corresponding 1a,3 dialkoxy 11,20-diketo-17u,2l-dihydroxy-A -pregnadiene, is obtained in good yield.

The new 1a-alkoxy-A -3-keto-pregnenes and their 3-alkyl-cnol ethers of this invention are easily re-converted by hydrolysis into the corresponding 3-ket0-A -pregna: dienes and therefore are useful as intermediates for carrying out reactions not otherwise possible, for example introducing directly a halogen atom into the 6 position in a A -3-keto-p1'egnadiene.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The new steroid compounds of this invention are characterized by the following general formulas ongox CHzOX in which R is lower alkyl, T represents hydrogen, methylene, a-methyl, ,B-methyl, tat-halogen or fi-halogen, Z represents ketonic oxygen or a lower alkylene ketal and X and X represent hydrogen or acyl groups derived from carboxylic acids containing up to 9 carbon atoms.

The term lower alkyl includes alkyl radicals up to 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and pentyl radicals, methyl and ethyl being preferred.

The acyl groups derived from carboxylic acids containing up to 9 carbon atoms include saturated and unsaturated aliphatic acyl, benzoyl, substituted benzoyl, arylaliphatic acyl, cycloaliphatic acyl and cycloalkyl aliphatic acyl. Representative esters are the acetate, propionate, trimethylacetate, butyrate, isobutyrate, valerate, caproate, oenanthate, benzoate, phenylpropionate, cyclopentylpropionate and cyclohexylacetate.

The term lower alkylene ketal is used herein to indicate ketal derivatives with lower alkylene glycols, such as ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and the like. Preferred ketal group is ethylene glycol ketal.

The process of the present invention is accomplished by treating a compound of the formula:

in which T, X X and Z have the above stated meaning, with a lower alkyl orthoformate and a lower alkanol of formula ROH, in which R is as hereinbefore defined, under anhydrous condtions at a temperature below 60 C. in the presence of an acid catalyst.

The reaction may be carried out in an ether or hydrocarbon solvent, such as diethyl ether, tetrahydrofurane, dioxane, benzene, hexane, isooctane and like as well as in halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, chloroform or carbon tetrachloride.

Suitable acid catalysts are the aromatic sulfonic acids such as toluene, benzene and naphthalene sulfonic acids, salts of organic bases with strong acids, such as pyridine hydrochloride or pyridine tosylate as well as Lewis acids. Preferred acid catalyst is p-toluene sulfonic acid.

The mixture is maintained at a temperature below 60 C. for a period from about 30 minutes to about 4 hours, preferably under stirring; generally after an hour at room temperature the reaction can be considered to be over. By neutralizing the reaction mixture with a few drops of a base, particularly pyridine, there is obtained as final product a 1ot,3-dialkoxy-A -pregnadiene of Formula II, which can be isolated according to conventional methods, for example by evaporation of the solvent and recrystallization of the residue or by direct precipitation with water. Sometimes the precipitation may be favoured by letting the mixture to stand in an ice-box for a short time.

Otherwise, if the reaction mixture is not neutralized, but directly worked under aqueous acidic conditions, for example by adding thereto a few drops of water or of a dilute acid, there is obtained as final product a IOC-ELIkOXY- A -3-keto-pregnene of Formula I which can be isolated according to the usual techniques. Said la-alkoxy-A -3- keto-pregnenes can be also obtained from the corresponding 1a,3-dialkoxy-A -pregnadienes (II), isolated as above, by mild acid hydrolysis, for example by treatment with dilute hydrochloric acid at room temperature for a short time.

In carrying out the process of the present invention it is necessary to bear in mind that both the alcohol and the orthoformate participate in the reaction. Therefore 3 the lower alkanol and the lower alkyl orthoforrnate should have the same alkyl radical in order to obtain a single reaction product, that is a 1a-3-dialkoxy-A -pregnadiene of Formula II or a corresponding la-alkoxy-A -3-ket0- pregnene of Formula I.

maintained under stirring at room temperature for about 90 minutes. The mixture is neutralized by addition of a few drops of pyridine and concentrated under vacuum. The residue, taken up with methanol, give 2,3 g. of 1a, 3 dimethoxy A pregnadiene-17mll-diol-l1,20-dione;

It may occur however, that particular lower alkyl orthO- 5 M.P. 204-206 C.; [a] =*+5O (dioxane, c.=0.5% formates are not promptly available, for example when typical alcohols such as butyl or pentyl alcohols are in- EXAMPLE 2 volved in the reaction. In this case, one can employ as reaction components the easily available ethyl orthofor- In 50 of benzene there are added 5 Of Pfednlsone mate together with the desired alcohol. According to the llacetate, 6 of methyl orthoformete, 0f working conditions there is obtained a main product cona1 1d of P"01 l1ene$111Ph0I1le aeld- The mlXtufe sisting of a la alkoxy or a 101,3 -dialkoxy derivative in mamtalnefi Pnder stlmng at room temperature two which the alkoxy radical is that of the alcohol employed, hours, then It concentrated nd r vacuum. The residue, and a by product consisting of the Corresponding lweth- 15 taken up with little methanol and crystallizetd gives the la, oxy or a 1u,3 dialkoxy derivative in which the alkoxy 3 dlmethoxy A35 P radical is that of the alcohol employed, and a by-product 17-acetate; 20040? []D consisting of the corresponding la-ethoxy or 1oc, 3diethoxane, oxy derivative. The two products so obtained can be sepa- EXAMPLE 3 gz gg gi j i gfigig gg fif ggffi g f gg A mixture of 1 g. of prednisone 2l-acetate in 5 cc. of products depends on the nature and the proportions of :33??? g i g g the reagents; however only one product can be practically l e f' g an 0 o obtained if the chosen alcohol is employed in excess over ene Su p omc acld ma1n tame under stlr'rmg the ethyl orthoformate. temperature for about 90 minutes. The resulting mixture is It will be up to those skilled in the art to Select everyneutralized with a few drops of pyridine and concentrated time the more suitable reaction conditions to obtain the Wlth Y The eljystalllne fesldlfe S0 Obtalned, taken best yield of the final product; it is however necessary to p Wlth methanol: gIVeS the y- -p point out that methanol and methyl orthoformate are dlene 170:,21 diol 11,20-dione 21-acetate;M.P. 256- highly reactive, so that it is advisable to limit their use to 258 C., [a] +92 (dioxane, c.=0.5% the preparation of the lu-methoxy and la,3-dimethoxy derivatives. EXAMPLE 4 The new Compounds of Present, lnvefltlollll can be A solution of 2,5 g. of prednisone 2l-acetate 20-ethyladYantageogsly p fi mtenlleglates t lz 35 ene ketal in 30 cc. of methanol is treated with 6 cc. of g 2 f y g g j i jfi? g iggg z methyl orthoformate and 100 mg. of pyridine tosylate. ill; i ggz g L1 be introdficei into After about two hours at room temperature the mixture is 6 pisition i the Streoid m 01 ecule by treating the neutralized with pyridine and concentrated under vacuum. a1kOXy A3,5 pregnadieneS of Formula H with perchloryl The residue, taken up w1th methanol, gives the5 10:,3-d1- fluoride, after having previously reduced, if necessary, 40 nfethoxy 20 ethylenedloxyo g the ll-keto to the llfl-hydroxy-group by means of an 174 D alkali metal borohydride or a lithium and aluminum hy- (dloxene, dride. By further strong acid hydrolysis the A -3-keto group can be easily restored. Alternatively, 6-fiuoro de- 4:, EXAMPLE 5 TiVetiVeS may be Obtained from Y' 0 5 g. of prednisone 21-acetate in 25 cc. of dioxane, 8 cc. mines of Formula y ccfnvertmg these compounfls Into of ethyl orthoformate, 15 cc. of ethyl alcohol and suitable functionalderivatrves such as ketals, ttelrllargines or mg of pyridine hydrochloride, are stirred at room P z g i P f i 5g; perature for about two hours. The reaction mixture is .Smon a gg 2:233 2 ;1 :225 2 2533; to 50 neutralized with a few drops of pyridine and concentrated Suc p g y g under vacuum. The residue, taken up with methanol, gives the correspondmg GChloro denvatlves' the lot 3 diethoxy A 5 pregnadiene 170: 21 diol 11 20 h ollowin exam les illustrate the invention. f

T e f g p dione 21- acetate; M.P. 215-218 0., [a =+94 (d1- EXAMPLE 1 r oxane, c.=0.5%

A mixture of 5 g. of prednisone, 25 cc. of anhydrous In the Table I there are reported other examples of tetrahydrofurane, 6 cc. of methyl orthoformate, 15 cc. preparation of 1a,3-dialkoxy-A -pregnadienes obtainable of methanol and mg. of p-toluenesulfonic acid is according to the procedure set forth in the Examples 1-5.

TABLE I ri l Exam 1e hrtl wtor- Lower No. Starting compound mate alkanol Final product 8 Prednlsoue 17,21-diacetate.. MOF Methanol 1a, 3-dimethmry-A L regnadien 2 7a, 2t1-tdiol-11, 20dione 17, 21-

18.00 21 7 Prednlsone17,21-dlproplo- MOF do 1a, a-dime thoxy-a mpregnadirm p nata. 317a, 2ldiolzll, 20'di0ne 17, 21-

l l 8 Prednls0ne17-butyrate- MOF d0 .i la, 3 i i 1 1 1:t h%x y-A -pregnadione- 21-acetate. 1'a,2211-di0tl-%l, 2(ld1one 17-butyr- 9 Prednlsone 17-isobutyrate- MOF ..do la j3 -dirii ei t ho xg -mregnadiene- 21-acetate. 7? 21-glo2l1-11, 2t0-d one 17-iso- 10 Prednlsone17-valerate-21- MOF .do 1a, ra in ]og h pregnadieneacetate. lzagl-ditil-ll, 20di0ne 17-valer- 11 Prednis0no17-valerate MOF .do 1aislfidgg hgx y-gg-:ipregnadiene- -11 a 12 lfla-methyl-prednisone MOF do 1a,lfdiruetilioxyh6u-iiih shah 21-acetate. pregnadiene-17a, 2l-diol-11, 2-

dioue 21-acetate.

with water to obtain the la-methoxy-lfifl-methyl-cortisone ZI-acetate. The same product is obtained by letting the acidified solution of the starting compound to stay at room temperature for 30 minutes.

EXAMPLE 89 To 200 mg. of lot-methoxy-cortisone 2l-acetate in 2.5 cc. ofacetic acid there are added 3 drops of aqueous hydrochloric acid and the mixture is let to stand for 30 minutes on boiling water bath. By precipitating with water a'crystalline product is obtained which after recrystallization gives pure prednisone 21-acetate.

Working as above, the same product is obtained starting from the let,3-dimethoxy-2l-acetoxy-A -pregnadiene- 1701-01-1 1,20-dione.

'EXAMP'LE 90 A mixture of 1 g. of 1ut-rnethoxy-cortisone 20 ethylene ketal, cc. of methanol and 100 mg. of potassium hydroxyde is refluxed for 30 minutes under nitrogen atmosphere, then concentrated. The residue, taken up with water and filtered gives the prednisone 20-ethylene ketal.

EXAMPLE 9'1 in which R is LWCI' alkyl, T is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methylene, or -methyl, fl-methyl, tit-halogen and fi-halogen, Z is selected from the group consisting of ketonic oxygen and a lower alkylene ketal and X and X are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acyl groups derived from carboxylic acids containing up to 9 carbon atoms.

2. 1,3-dimethoxy-A -pregnadiene 1701,21 diol-ll, 20-dione.

3. 1a,3-dimethoxy 17a. acetoxy-A -pregnadiene- 21-ol-1 1,20-dione.

4. 1a,3-dimethoxy 21 acetoxy-A -pregnadiene-17- ol-11,20-dione.

5. la,3-dimethoxy 20 ethylenedioxy 21 acetoxy- A -pregnadienel7OL-Ol- 1 l-one.

6. 1a,3-diethoxy 21 acetoxy-A -pregnadiene-17a.- ol-l 1,20-dione.

7. 1a.,3-di'methoxy 165 methyl-21-acetoxy-A -pregnadiene- 1711-01-1 1,20 dione.

8. IOL-IHCthOXY 16B methyl-cortisone 21-acetate.

CHzOX 9. A process for the preparation of 1a,3-dialkoxy- A -pregnadienes of general formula CHzOX R? QU (iJH OX iii... W O fl in which T, X X and Z have the hereinbefore stated meaning, with a lower alkyl orthoformate and an alcohol of formula ROH, in which R is as hereinbefore defined, under anhydrous conditions at a temperature below 60 C. in the presence of an acid catalyst.

10. A process as claimed in claim 9 in which the lower alkyl orthoformate is methyl orthoformate and the lower alkanol is methanol.

11. A process as claimed in claim 9 in which the reaction is carried out at about room temperature.

12. A process as claimed in claim 9 in which the resulting la1,3-dialkoxy-A -pregnadiene is hydrolyzed under mild acidic conditions to give the corresponding 1aalkoxy-M-3-keto-pregnene.

13. A process for the preparation of Ia-alkoxy-A -3- keto-pregnenes of general formula CHQOX in which R is lower alkyl, T is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methylene, tit-methyl, ,B-methyl, a-halogen, and ,B-halogen, Z is selected from the group consisting of ketonic oxygen and a lower alkylene ketal and X and X are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and acyl groups derived from carboxylic acids 1 1 containing up to 9 carbon atoms, which comprises reacting a corresponding A -3-keto-pregnadiene of formula CHzOX in which T, X X and Z have the hereinbefore stated meaning, with a lower alkyl orthoformate and an alcohol of formula ROH, in which R is as hereinbefore defined, under anhydrous conditions at a temperature below 60 C. in the presence of an acid catalyst and thereafter working the reaction mixture under aqueous acidic conditions.

14. A process for the preparation of 1m,3-dimethoxy- ZO-ethylenedioxy 21 acetoxy-A -pregnadiene-l7a-olll-one, which comprises reacting prednisone 21-acetate =z -ox 5 W 12 ZO-ethylene ketal with methyl orthoformate and methanol at room temperature and in the presence of an acid catalyst.

15. A process as claimed in claim 14, in which the resulting 1a.,3-dimethoxy 20 ethylenedioxy-Zl-acetoxy- A -pregnadiene-17ot-0l-1l-one is reduced by a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of alkali metal borohydrides and lithium and aluminum hydride to give the 1a,3-dimethoxy 20 ethylenedioxy-Zl-acetoxy-A pregnadiene-l l5, l7u-di0l.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,737,518 3/1956 Herzog 260-397.45

ELBERT L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 260--397.45

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 650 Dated April 15 1970 Inventor(s) Rinaldo Gardi t all It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 34 "condtions" should read "conditions".

Column 3, line 16 delete the repeated phrase "a la, 3-dialkoxy derivative in which the alkoxy radical is that of the alcohol employed, and a by-product consisting of the corresponding loL-ethoxy or"; line 38 amend "pisition" and"streoid" to read respectively "position" and "steroid".

Column 4, line 15 "crystallizetd" should read "crystallized";

line 27 delete "with" and insert "under"; Table I, in the final product of Example 10, "diemthoxy" should read "dimethoxy"; Table I, in the final product of Example 12, "11,2-" should read "ll,20-".

Column 5, Table I, in the final product of Examples 18 and 21, "17,21" should read "1700,21"; Table I, the starting compound of Example 23 should read "16Bbromo-prednisone Ill-acetate" instead of "lGB-bromo-prednisone-21-Zl-acetate"; Table I, in the final product of Example 40, "A pregnediene" should read "A -pregnadiene"; in the last but one line "methyl orthofromate" should read methyl orthoformate".

Column 7, Table II, in the final product of Example 71,

"la-methyoxy" should read "la-methoxy"; Table II, in the final product of Example 84, "A pregene" should read "A pregnene".

FORM PO-YOSO 10-69) USCOMM'DC c0516 P09 0 ll 5 GOVERNMENY PRINTIIG OFFICE! I... O-lI-l!l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,506,650 Dated April 1970 Inventor) Rinaldo Gardi, et a1 PSGE 2 It is certified that error'appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shovm below:

Column 9, the bond linking the substituent T at the 16- position is not shown in the formula on the left; line 56, amend "R is wer" to read "R is lower".

Column 10, claim 9,

the two double bonds reported in the first formula sho uld be amended as follows: R0

Column 11, (formula) should be SIGNEUANU EAlEB Edward M. mach, Ir. mm! 1 mm. m- Attestine Officer [5.1m or FORM PO-IOSO (10-69) USCOMM-DC COSTS-P69 US GOVERNMENY FIINI'ING OFFICE: "CI O-liI-JSI 

